Attention Local Schools
REC Wants to Be Your Partner!
REC is excited to announce the opportunity to partner in exploring the benefits of electric school bus fleet. On May 20, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced details of the new Clean School Bus program, including a list of school districts identified as priorities for funding. This $5 billion program that was created by the federal infrastructure bill as an opportunity for school districts to leverage significant federal funds to replace older buses with new all-electric buses. This program also covers the cost of the charging infrastructure school districts will need to support electric buses.
The application process for the first allotment of funding is now open until August 19, 2022. Rural areas, low income/high need, and Tribal school districts meeting specific criteria are being prioritized for funding.
For school districts on the priority list, the EPA will provide a rebate (if selected in the lottery) of $375,000 per bus, which should cover the cost of the bus and $20,000 for charging infrastructure. The list of priority schools can be found here: School Bus Rebates: Clean School Bus Program | US EPA. For districts not on this list, the EPA will provide a rebate (if selected in the lottery) of $250,000 per bus and $13,000 for charging infrastructure. The EPA will provide funding to schools once the school districts create a purchase order, so the schools should not need to provide funds up front to purchase the bus.
For the most recent details on this program, visit: www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus
A short video about electric school buses can be found at: www.be-league.org/buses